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Pears felt the club’s league position warranted a change in personnel, and said he resignation was in the best interests of the club.

He said: “I think it got to the Cirencester game where I really felt that we needed to win because we’re second from bottom and there’s now a bit of a gap between that position and the other teams in the table and it was a really disappointing performance from us.

“So I thought I’ve got to be fair to the club because the club gave me this opportunity, and hopefully now they can look at alternative things that might have a different point view that can get the best out of the players, because I just felt that I didn’t do that.

“I tried different formations, different strategies, different game plans, but I just couldn’t find that winning formula really, so I wanted to be gracious to the club because I felt delaying it would be avoiding the inevitable really so I wanted to make a brave decision which I felt was in the best interests of the club.”

Kevin Darch and Dave Griffiths have been appointed join managers until the end of the season, and Pears is happy to see them given the job permanently.

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“I’m absolutely delighted for them,” he said. “They’re great guys, we got on so well, and I think as a manager, when you bring in your management team, when things don’t work out, you want to see them progress and get that opportunity, so I’m delighted that the club have stuck by them and given them an opportunity.

“He (Kevin Darch) is capable of finding that right formula and that right little bit of something different that could turn it around.

“They get my full support and I’m so pleased.”

Pears is now taking a break from football after what he described as the hardest period during his managerial career.

He said: “The last six months have probably been the most intense and most difficult time I’ve ever had as a football manager, so I need a welcome break and welcome relief to that.

“But I’ve got no regrets. I loved every minute of it, I’ve expanded my network of players, I’ve developed new relationships with pro clubs, with Southern League clubs, so from that point of view, I’ve learnt a lot about myself, about managing at Southern League.